Which Online Social Networking Site Should I Use?
As you are probably aware, networking is the key to growing any business or organization, but in recent years the face of networking has changed dramatically- it has gone virtual. Online social networking has become the can't live without tool for anyone who wants to promote themselves, their products or services. In fact, advertisers search on a daily basis new ways to reach people who frequent social networking sites with their ads about their products or services. There are even psychological studies being conducted on how online social networking impacts people are introverted versus extroverted. Some trends show that those who are more introverted find it easier to interact online than face-to-face.
The most popular sites, MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn are used by millions everyday worldwide to connect, network and to build business relationships. Some people use all three. Most of these sites offer no cost options for setting up a profile. I believe that each of these sites offer different things to different people. If you're looking to strictly to keep up with friends, family or acquaintances, then Facebook may be the way you want to go. It's a user friendly, clean clear site that allows the user to interact instantly. This social utility was originally set up for use across college campuses for students to interact with other students, faculty and find friend with common interests. In recent months, Facebook was opened to anyone and now it is being used by anyone who wants to be connected socially. MySpace users seems to be used mostly by bands and musicians who have looked for alternative ways to promote their music. With what's happening with record labels and the uncertainty of their stability, artists have found that they can use MySpace to promote their music better, faster and easier to fans. Take for example country sensation Taylor Swift, some in the country music industry label her the first bonafide country star of the MySpace generation.
My personal favorite is LinkedIn. This site allows professionals to connect business to business, their talents and services with others. LinkedIn offers more bells and whistles for those who want to pay for an upgrade subscription to the site. The recommend feature is a favorite of mine because former employers, colleagues and people who have used your services can put in writing their recommendation or endorsement of you. The site also offers group affiliations and forum discussions for subscribers that want to discuss business issues and hear from their peers' experiences about any problems or solutions they have encountered in their business.
Some cautionary advice I can offer about social networking is to keep in mind that whatever you put out on one of these sites about yourself or your business is there primarily for the whole world to see, literally. Privacy features are always good to use and I would recommend your viewing your profile page from outside the portal. Some hiring managers are now using the online sites to pre-screen applicants or to seek potential employees. You want to make sure that whatever you have placed on your profile does not harm your chances for employment or to gain new business. Explicit photos and commentary do not appeal to people who are looking to hire you.
What's the next big thing on the horizon for online social networking? Some indicators lean towards targeted demographic sites and instant blogging. Ever heard of Twitter? If you're still not sure about using these sites to promote your business, well just look at the way it has transformed politics in America. Even T. Boone Pickens has become savvy with his Pickens Plan Web site and online social networking. He has in record numbers attracted more than a 154,000 new subscribers by marketing through MySpace, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Note: As of May there are 123.9 million subscribers to Facebook and 106 million to MySpace, and as of June, Facebook has surpassed MySpace in popularity. Source: ComScore.
The most popular sites, MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn are used by millions everyday worldwide to connect, network and to build business relationships. Some people use all three. Most of these sites offer no cost options for setting up a profile. I believe that each of these sites offer different things to different people. If you're looking to strictly to keep up with friends, family or acquaintances, then Facebook may be the way you want to go. It's a user friendly, clean clear site that allows the user to interact instantly. This social utility was originally set up for use across college campuses for students to interact with other students, faculty and find friend with common interests. In recent months, Facebook was opened to anyone and now it is being used by anyone who wants to be connected socially. MySpace users seems to be used mostly by bands and musicians who have looked for alternative ways to promote their music. With what's happening with record labels and the uncertainty of their stability, artists have found that they can use MySpace to promote their music better, faster and easier to fans. Take for example country sensation Taylor Swift, some in the country music industry label her the first bonafide country star of the MySpace generation.
My personal favorite is LinkedIn. This site allows professionals to connect business to business, their talents and services with others. LinkedIn offers more bells and whistles for those who want to pay for an upgrade subscription to the site. The recommend feature is a favorite of mine because former employers, colleagues and people who have used your services can put in writing their recommendation or endorsement of you. The site also offers group affiliations and forum discussions for subscribers that want to discuss business issues and hear from their peers' experiences about any problems or solutions they have encountered in their business.
Some cautionary advice I can offer about social networking is to keep in mind that whatever you put out on one of these sites about yourself or your business is there primarily for the whole world to see, literally. Privacy features are always good to use and I would recommend your viewing your profile page from outside the portal. Some hiring managers are now using the online sites to pre-screen applicants or to seek potential employees. You want to make sure that whatever you have placed on your profile does not harm your chances for employment or to gain new business. Explicit photos and commentary do not appeal to people who are looking to hire you.
What's the next big thing on the horizon for online social networking? Some indicators lean towards targeted demographic sites and instant blogging. Ever heard of Twitter? If you're still not sure about using these sites to promote your business, well just look at the way it has transformed politics in America. Even T. Boone Pickens has become savvy with his Pickens Plan Web site and online social networking. He has in record numbers attracted more than a 154,000 new subscribers by marketing through MySpace, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Note: As of May there are 123.9 million subscribers to Facebook and 106 million to MySpace, and as of June, Facebook has surpassed MySpace in popularity. Source: ComScore.
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